Today, March 21, 2010 is marks the start of the Baha'i New Year. In March of 1912, Abdu'l-Baha was about to leave for the United States on that day. Below you will find a few lines from a Naw Ruz prayer. Abdu'l-Baha certainly uttered these lines on Naw Ruz day of 1912.
"Make known this thy station O my God, unto thy servants, that they may be made aware that the excellence of all things is dependent upon Thy bidding and Thy word, and the virtue of every act is conditioned by Thy leave and the good pleasure of Thy will...All dominion is thine, O Thou the Begetter of the Spirit (Jesus), and Thy Friend (Muhammad) crieth out: 'Glory be to Thee, O Thou the Best Beloved, for that Thou hast uncovered Thy beauty and written down for Thy chosen ones what will cause them to attain unto the seat of the revelation of Thy Most Great Name...' "
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Thoughts on the Character Traits
The character traits of Abdu'l-Baha reflected his effort to follow the Baha'i teachings, the teachings espoused by his father. I just received a quote taken from the teachings of Abdu'l-Baha's father. Here it is:
"There are four qualities which I love to see manifested in people:first, enthusiasm and courage;second, a face wreathed in smiles and a radiant countenance;third, that they see all things with their own eyes and not through the eyes of others;fourth, the ability to carry a task once begun, through to its end.'--Stories of Baha'u'llah, compiled by 'Ali'Akbar Furutan, page 51
"There are four qualities which I love to see manifested in people:first, enthusiasm and courage;second, a face wreathed in smiles and a radiant countenance;third, that they see all things with their own eyes and not through the eyes of others;fourth, the ability to carry a task once begun, through to its end.'--Stories of Baha'u'llah, compiled by 'Ali'Akbar Furutan, page 51
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Thoughts on a State Department Announcement
I want to be sure that my readers are aware of a recent announcement from the U.S. Department of State. An article about that announcement appears today on the website www.cnn.com. Here are the first two paragraphs in that article:
The State Department condemned Iran's persecution of religious minorities on Friday following the Iranian authorities' detention of Baha'is and Christians in recent months.
Iranian authorities have detained more than 45 Baha'is in the last four months, and as many as 60 Baha'is are imprisoned in Iran on the basis of their religion beliefs, the State Department said.
To read the entire article, go to the website indicated above, click to the "World" section, and then look for the line of blue print that says "Iran criticized for persecution of religious minorities." Click on that line.
The State Department condemned Iran's persecution of religious minorities on Friday following the Iranian authorities' detention of Baha'is and Christians in recent months.
Iranian authorities have detained more than 45 Baha'is in the last four months, and as many as 60 Baha'is are imprisoned in Iran on the basis of their religion beliefs, the State Department said.
To read the entire article, go to the website indicated above, click to the "World" section, and then look for the line of blue print that says "Iran criticized for persecution of religious minorities." Click on that line.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Thoughts on Equality of Women
An article that was posted on Iran Press Watch highlights the fact that the women of the world are still not viewed as equal to men in all countries. I have posted that article below, along with a related quote from Abdu'l-Baha.
"One Million Signatures" Campaign: Demanding an End to Discriminatory Laws Against Women in IranIranian women - rights activists - are fighting gender apartheid through the “One Million Signatures” campaign, which aims to collect one million signatures to demand an end to discriminatory laws against women. At present, men have the sole right to divorce and except in special cases, the right to custody of children. One man’s testimony equals that of two women. And certain positions, such as that of a judge, are closed to women. The campaign is a continuation of Iranian women’s century-long struggle for gender equality.
Dorsa Sobhani was active in the One Million Signature Campaign for women's rights and an advocate of the right to higher education. She herself has been denied the right to enter university due to her belief in the Baha’i Faith.
March 4, 2010, Dorsa Sobhani’s father was physically and verbally assaulted by six security officials as he left his house. Handcuffed and blindfolded, he was interrogated and threatened for four hours.
Security officials warned that if he does not hand his daughter, Dorsa Sobhani, over to the Intelligence Ministry by Saturday, he and his wife and younger daughter will be placed under arrest and their home will be sequestered. - Committee of Human Rights Reporters
"I charge you all that each one of you concentrate all the thoughts of your heart on love and unity. When a thought of war comes, oppose it by a stronger thought of peace. A thought of hatred must be destroyed by a more powerful thought of love. Thoughts of war bring destruction to all harmony, well-being, restfulness and content." (Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 29)
"One Million Signatures" Campaign: Demanding an End to Discriminatory Laws Against Women in IranIranian women - rights activists - are fighting gender apartheid through the “One Million Signatures” campaign, which aims to collect one million signatures to demand an end to discriminatory laws against women. At present, men have the sole right to divorce and except in special cases, the right to custody of children. One man’s testimony equals that of two women. And certain positions, such as that of a judge, are closed to women. The campaign is a continuation of Iranian women’s century-long struggle for gender equality.
Dorsa Sobhani was active in the One Million Signature Campaign for women's rights and an advocate of the right to higher education. She herself has been denied the right to enter university due to her belief in the Baha’i Faith.
March 4, 2010, Dorsa Sobhani’s father was physically and verbally assaulted by six security officials as he left his house. Handcuffed and blindfolded, he was interrogated and threatened for four hours.
Security officials warned that if he does not hand his daughter, Dorsa Sobhani, over to the Intelligence Ministry by Saturday, he and his wife and younger daughter will be placed under arrest and their home will be sequestered. - Committee of Human Rights Reporters
"I charge you all that each one of you concentrate all the thoughts of your heart on love and unity. When a thought of war comes, oppose it by a stronger thought of peace. A thought of hatred must be destroyed by a more powerful thought of love. Thoughts of war bring destruction to all harmony, well-being, restfulness and content." (Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 29)
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